PANJIM, OCT 18
The Division Bench of the Bombay High Court comprising of Justice D G Karnik and Justice F M Reis, on Monday issued directions to the State of Goa through its Secretary, PWD and the Goa State Pollution Control Board to show cause as to why action for contempt should not be taken against them for breach of the High Court’s Order dated April 28, 2010 and March 16, 2009 passed in suo moto Writ Petition No. 1 of 2005.
It may be recalled that by Order dated April 28, 2010, the High Court of Bombay at Goa had directed that, till the Final Regional Plan is prepared, every application for expansion, modification or diversification of industries, shall be filed in the Court and the same should be intimated to amicus curie Mrs Norma Alvares and liberty has been granted to her to apply to the Court, if necessary.
The amicus curie moved an application for directions stating that it is learned that permission has been granted in March 2010 by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (PCB) for the establishment of an Integrated Steel Plant at Navelim and construction has commenced in respect of the project and therefore prayed for direction against the State Pollution Control Board to withhold its consent to dated March 4, 2010.
It was also stated that the amicus curie had written to the PCB on July 9, requesting that the consent be put on hold, however no response was received till date.
Taking cognizance of the above, in view of this being brought to the notice of the court, the Bench has now issued directions to State of Goa, Secretary, PWD and the Goa State Pollution Control Board to show cause as to why action for contempt should not be taken against them for breach of the High Court’s directions.
This Miscellaneous Civil Application filed by amicus curie has been disposed off and the matter pertaining to contempt is directed to be placed before appropriate Bench of the High Court.
